• The water in Lake St. Clair is flushed into Lake Erie about every nine days. This cleansing process and the shallow depths make it an ideal environment for forage fish that sustain smallmouth and other game fish. The water is oxygen-rich with a high PH.

• Approximately 5-million people get their drinking water supply from Lake St. Clair.

• The lake was named after St. Clara, a woman who gave up her wealth to follow St. Francis of Assisi.

• Bass season on Lake St. Clair lasts through Dec. 31. It's not too late to cash in on this extraordinary fishery.

Smallmouth techniques

Smallmouths, although called bass, are members of the sunfish family.

In cooler weather, smallmouth go to the shallows to feed before winter. When fishing for them, action might seem slow at first. Getting that first bite probably will require some prospecting. Once you get it, plan to stay and work the area. Then batten down the hatches for some serious action.

The best lures during the fall feeding frenzy are crank baits, tube lures and blade baits. When the water dips below 45 degrees, blade baits -- such as the Silver Buddy -- are particularly deadly when fished over a sandy bottom adjacent to weed beds.

For more information about bass fishing in Michigan, check out www.michiganbassanglers.net. You do not have to own a boat to join this group, which welcomes novice anglers.